June 19, (THEWILL) – The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has said that Capt. Chris Najomo remains the Acting Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and his tenure has not expired.
This was contained in an official statement issued on Wednesday, by the Head, Press and Public Affairs of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Odutayo Oluseyi.
According to Oluseyi, the clarification became necessary in order not to create unnecessary tension and disaffection in the civil aviation industry following claims that there were worries over Najomo’s continuous stay in office as his tenure has since expired.
The statement dated June 19, 2024, and made available to THEWILL, reads: “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has been drawn to an article in the Punch Newspaper of Wednesday, June 19th, 2024, titled, “Worry as NCAA Acting Director-General (DG) tenure expires”.
“The Public Service Rules (PRS), which define employment relationship between employees in the Public Service and the Government in section 7: 020704(b) on Acting Appointment stipulates “that the period of Acting appointment shall not exceed one year, but in exceptional circumstances may be extended for another year”. The Acting Director-General, Mr. Chris Najomo, has been in office for only six months.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, did not appoint Capt. Chris Najomo as Acting Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority on a Six-Month tenure. The appointment of Capt. Chris Najomo on Acting Capacity was based on the suspension of the former Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority by Mr. President based on an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on allegations of corruption against him.
“This clarification has become expedient in order not to create unnecessary tension and disaffection in the Civil Aviation Industry. There is no worry at all about the tenure of Mr. Chris Najomo as he remains the Acting Director-General of the NCAA.”
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
